A sine plate and a sine bar are precision tools used in machining and metalworking to measure angles and set up workpieces at specific angles. The primary difference between the two lies in their design and application.
A sine bar is a straight, precision-ground tool with two cylindrical rollers of equal diameter attached at each end. It is used to measure or set angles by placing it on a flat surface and using gauge blocks to elevate one end. The angle is determined by the sine of the angle, which is the ratio of the height of the gauge blocks to the distance between the centers of the rollers. Sine bars are typically used for smaller workpieces and are ideal for high-precision angle measurements.
A sine plate, on the other hand, is a flat, rectangular plate with a hinge on one side and a cylindrical roller or pivot on the opposite side. It functions similarly to a sine bar but is designed to support larger workpieces. The sine plate can be tilted to a specific angle by adjusting the height of the gauge blocks under the pivot side. Sine plates are often used in conjunction with other machine tools, such as milling machines or surface grinders, to set up workpieces at precise angles for machining operations.
In summary, the main differences are in their design and application: sine bars are simpler, more compact, and used for smaller, high-precision tasks, while sine plates are larger, more versatile, and suitable for supporting and setting angles on larger workpieces.